The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-10

which light revealed the jungle terror just wax
ing from doze. yawning and stretching like
he lifted his beautiful head shifted suspciously.
and rising with steathy step crept TO the front
of his prison.
Sultan was evidently uneasy. Sultan, Sui
tan. poor fellow" coaxed Natalie's soft voice
close to him. The green eyes softened as with
pleasure, his velvety back arched itself, and a
loud purr made answer mean while rubbing his
head against the little brown hand laid SO fear
lessly upon the inside Of the bars. while the
owners bright black eyes looked into the waver-
ing. gold green ones See how he loves me-"
said Natalie, archly, to Elston, who stood close
by. Elstons eyes rested a moment on the tiger.
and then. perceiviug Natalies exposed hand.
sna,ched it up, lifting it his lips, and drawing
her away he did 1t was done in an in
slant. but what change had seized Sultan. A
moment the graceful beast crouched quivering,
as if for a spring The long tail dashed the vel
vet sides. the eyes gttered wickedly. Then, in
a paroxysm of rage the brute seized hold of
the heavy bars and shook them again and
again in his fury. while his terrible voice
sounded out his defiance
The other animals. stirred by his cries, Joined
in the chorus. and what before to Elston had
seemed novel and picturesque scene had now
become veritabe pandemonum. The keepers
rushed hurrledly to the scene OF commotion,
armed with sticks and clubs as instruments of
persuasion, while Natalie releasing herself from
Elston's hold. went close up to her protege and
began talking in a low. soothing voice. to which,
after time. he deigned to listen. you had
better go away. sir" called Natalie from her
post. ''He doesn't like you, but he'll calm down
after n little. I'll be back to say good bye"
Elston was coward. His instincts revolted
against running away from anything, even we're
it ridiculous situation as at present, but, seeing
that love making under the present circum-
stances was hardly thing to be INDUCED in,
bethought himself of the adage. "He who fights
and runs away will live to Fl ht another day"
II.
Natalie stood alone in the shadow of live
oak awaiting the coming of her lover.
Not dark night this, but a moonlight one
Floods of ghostly white light everywhere bring
ing out the tangled meshes of foliage with
featnery, lace-like distinctness peculiar to tSis
latitude.
Natalie felt trile afraid of the solemn loneli-
ness the only sound being the mysterious voices
sougbing through the pines, voices which seemed
whispering warnings over and over again to her.
The heavy masses of Spanish moss swung in the
soft night breeze like draperies of gray Grape.
Despite the vivid white light the night op-
pressive, mournful Would he rever comet"
She listened: rustic near her-only the sleepy
nodding of two palmetto leaves, the boot OF owl.
and from the river was waited the barbarlc
minor chant of some negro boatman.
Natalie's eager heart sickened and grew faint
with the oppression of waiting and dsappont-
ment. Just at the moment when about to go
back to the camp, there greeted her impatient
ear the soft thud of horses hoofs, and pres
entity doomed dark upon the white road the
expected horseman.
Natalie drew back in the shade of the live
approach of the rider But he had already
caught glimpse of the girl. Have | kept
you waiting, little onep he called The next
moment ne at her side. "tt was so hard to
get away, Perrin watched me SO, and finally
when got here, and had only myself for COM
pany, was almost afraid, everything was so
still and lonely Natalie confessed, in her
relief, only the next moment to regret the ad-
mission. with the return of her old elfsh self.
Elston reached out arm with an insinuatng
gentleness of motion which seemed about to en-
fold her. but Natalie drew back. half afraid, her
heart beating thick and fast while posing her.
self for flight like a transfxed humming bird.
Natalie, cannot you trust meg this in low
voice, with vein of earnestness running
through It, Elstsn in earnest, and really
quite in love for the time being. His blue eyes
softened and burned as they fixed on Natalies
face His full red lips trembled like grieved
child's.
Natalie" without offering to move step,
neared her. The girl was conquered. She went
close up to him, within the warm, magnetic aura
enveloping him. Once within his arms she
shivered with a delicious terror and sense Of
submission. VINO remember repeat the
words spoken il the fascinating dream called
lovel As we'll attempt the precise location of
the soul, any other subtle, battling thing.
The very breeze stopped to listen and in a
tree near by nightingale thrilled the air with
her song.
Come with me, Natalie, and your life shall
know love and protection. Soon, tomorrow
night shall it bel l will have carriage in wait
ing for you after the performance is over Is it
! yes, Natalie?'
Half wild love. half fear possessed Natalie.
| Turning her head on his breast to look at him,
she half whispered, half spoke her answer 1T
is yes"
| A slight gust of wind moved the silent pool on
the verge of which they stood. The image Of a
star reflected in its depths trembled and iickered
| r,,. 1a auor NC Goht rtf ta1o
| fragment of green slime Then far-reachipe
| and menacing there broke upon the night air the
| melancholy cry of tiger. First Natalie trem-
! bled as with fear then springing like cat from
| Elstons arms she bounded away and fled down
the solitary moolit road leading to the encamp
ment.
.'D-n that Internal brute. Odd rival for a
man to encounter 10 playing sweet on a pretty
| circus girl. However I'm sure of her after to
morrow night, and she'll be better off with me.
soliloquiZed Elston, for the second time deserted
III
| The amphitheatre is crowded with the pro
| verbal ''sea of human faces" Tier upon tier oil
| seats is loaded with curious expectant humanity
| The usual equestrian and acrobatic feats have
been duly performed and applauded. The jokes
of the celebrated clown lBaznet alias Perrin
have been laughed at. His uncouth conrortions
| and grimaces have kindled afresh in the audit
ors that exquisite sense of the humorous which
the grotesoue seems to arouse
q
Light hearted women over whose lips the shad
ows of laughter still linger, bend forward OF
peer over intervening shoulders. while the gems
| upon their bosoms gather light with the palp
| tating hearts beneath Blaso men attempt tc
| assume an Indifferent air as the gaiy uniformed
band executes triumphant flourish of chords
Slowly moved by mules. Is brought to the
| ring huge cage mounted wheels Through
| the slight intervention of strong slender ror
bars is seen a superbly graceful animal with
} keen, half closed eyes. seeming to wait with al
most human lntentress the coming of somebody
| or something The band dropped into the slow
measure OF dreamy waltz.
! A handsome. blue eyed man leaned forward &c
catch glimpse of the opening leading to thu
dressing room.
This is the last time Tomorrow you ar,
mine, my little one," he said to himself, unde
his breath.
The music grew softer with minor cry call
ing through it. From TIE grand eutree a Sigh
girl ran out and paused in the arena to kiss tn,
tips of her brown fingers in response to the vol
leys of applause. A glad smile moved the beau
tisul mouth, and a little shiver of delight passed
over the supple. perfect form, when she caugh
sight of her lovers face.
Natalie's ovation pleased her She could no
haze understood that it did not please Elston.
She ran nimbly up to the cage.
Her royal subject as if in difference. rose t
meet her. A deft movement of the fastenings
and Natalie had opened and closed the cage door